Synopsis:Jack Tideswell’s parents died in a diving accident while exploring the underwater ruins of the ancient Pharos lighthouse. So Jack wants nothing to do with adventure. Until that is, a seagull delivers a strange disc, addressed to him in his own handwriting.
In the blink of an eye, all kinds of magic are let loose, sending Jack on a dangerous journey. Can he learn to navigate time before it’s too late to save the one person who can help him unravel the secrets of the disc?
Whether he likes it or not, there’s no more hiding away. And no looking back. Especially when Alpha is watching. A wolf who sees all there is to see

My Review:

I was very excited starting to read this book, but also quite hesitant, because the book is compared to Harry Potter and other reviewers have compared it to the early Harry Potter books. Both Harry Potter and Jack are orphans so the comparisons start already in the first chapter. Additionally it is a book that suggests ancient Egypt and I am sort of a fan of the area. However, I did find the book a bit hard to start, it did not suck me in right away and I did not get carried away with the story. For me the story moved a bit too slow, so it was too easy to just put the book down to do something else. Once I got past the first initial chapters, it was easier to keep reading and the story indulged me. The characters you meet are easy to like and imagine. The illustrations that I saw was great, but my kindle seemed to have a small issue showing the illustrations properly (or it could just be my iPad that had the issue), though I would recommend getting this book in book format rather than for kindle.

Synopsis: Orleigh is cursed. Or so the other villagers believe. With each harvest worse than the last, something must be done. And so they consult the Seer. A deal is struck: the village will thrive once more, but in return, Orleigh must be sacrificed to the Earth God, Teymos.
A tale of friendship, acceptance and self-discovery, filled with a new mythology, The Seer’s Curse is a moving debut to be enjoyed by all fantasy fans

My Review:

The Seer’s Curse start off a little slow in order to set up a world that is a little different from ours and to set up the plot. I think that for some readers the beginning might be a bit too slow to stick with, but when you stick with it you will get delivered a story of self-discovery and acceptance. At times the story seems a bit confused in regards to which audience it’s intended for, whether it is middle grade, teenage or intended for the YA genre. That issue aside, I did really enjoy to hear the story through the various point of views it had to offer, however the view of the Seer became redundant and did not really add any value to the narrative of the complete story. Overall I believe this is a good debut novel and I look forward to what else this author can bring to the table.

Synopsis: Bay Leaf is the new Elf King. In this fantasy tale his sister, Sweet Pea, demonstrates her love and devotion for her brother. The elves go on a perilous journey to the Mountain Shrine where Bay Leaf must take his ‘Oath of Allegiance’ to the ‘Moon Lake Elves’. An enchanted book offers advice and guidance from their ancestors and warns Sweet Pea to take care of her brother

My Review:

The Elf King is very clearly intended for a younger audience, which I was aware of when I started reading. Still it took me a little while to get with the story, it might have been the beginning that seems a bit abrupt or that the pace seemed a bit in certain places. Though once I got a grip on the story I managed to stay with it, and I did rather enjoy it.
The narrative is fresh and young When I read it kept reminding me of the Disney movies about Tinkerbell, and I think those who enjoyed those movies will enjoy this book series very much (maybe when they are slightly older than the intended age-group for Tinkerbell).
The community in which we meet the elves felt very natural and convincing. Lorraine has her own take on the elves without it becoming forced, you can see her own little world in there.
I do though recommend this book for younger readers, though I see no reason older readers shouldn’t enjoy this book too.

Synopsis: “Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul.”
Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of the Biltmore estate.There’s plenty to explore in her grand home, although she must take care to never be seen. When children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is:a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore’s corridors at night. Joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak’s identity before all of the children vanish one by one.
Serafina’s hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear. There she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic. In order to save the children, Serafina must seek the answers that will unlock the puzzle of her past.

My Review:

This book had a huge marketing hype around it. All the marketing, the intriguing description as well as the book-cover got me very excited about this book.
In many ways this book would be better off had the author invented a fictional family to go with the castle. Instead he chose to go with the family who are historically linked to the estate, and then he throws history all over the place. Of course all historical fiction does fictionalize a lot of things, but their fictional facts should in some fashion be linked to actual historical facts or theories.
The characters were easy to enjoy but they were a little flat. The mysteries are a bit simple and the books targeted audience (8-12 year olds) wouldn’t have much trouble figuring out the mysteries presented in the book. That is everything except Serafina’s own “past” which is barely foreshadowed at all and is just info-dumped on the reader in the end. Though it is pretty clear what she is, or it is very well displayed by the books illustrations, but the whole why and whens are just dropped in the end.
That aside, this is a book that can be enjoyed, particularly by it’s targeted audience, but the hype around it is insanely overplayed. This is a normal mediocre book which could have been much better had the story been a little more complex and with more colorful characters. If the novel had been longer and there had been more space for the character’s to evolve, this would have been a superb book.
By all means, this book turned out to be a huge disappointment.

Synopsis: For Calum Ranson, seventh grade brings changes in his relationship with his parents and his friends, and a confrontation with his bully. Calum’s talents have also developed to a level unheard of in the Sidhe world, and he surprises everyone when he cleverly catches the person responsible for casting Finley out from the Otherworld.
When Calum goes against everything he knows is right, he makes a choice that may cost him his friendship with Laurel. An old friend steps in, but her mysterious ways leave Calum questioning her motivation.

My Review:

Irish mythology is much complimented in this story, and it is because of the overtone of mythology that I was interested in reading this story. This book is a second book in a series, and it did not read well as a stand alone novel, but I have decided to not let that cloud my opinion of the book.
The characters were well written and came alive on the page, they were interesting even though I knew little of their background. The themes of the story were clear: friendship and loyalty, and the story was well crafted around them.
Even though “The Choice” is the second book in a series, it did easily explain the Sidhe’s world with its rules and limitations, so it was easy to get into the story and understand the realm.
As an overall, “the choice” had a good and entertaining story, which was well written with a fastidious attention to details, but the fantasy elements could have been stronger.

Synopsis: In this epic conclusion to the Jack Staples trilogy, Jack and Alexia must make an impossible choice during their final battle against the Assassin—one that could alter time itself and the fate of the world.

My Review:

Jack Staples and the Poet’s Storm is a worthy ending to the trilogy about Jack Staples. It is not the strongest book in the series, the first book was far more enjoyable. This third and final book offer a conclusion to the storylines from the previous two books.
At times it did feel like a chore to keep reading, but it was nice to see the loose ends coming to a conclusion.

Synopsis: Meet Freddie Cottonmouth – A Boy Who Loves the River, Big Adventures, and a Furry Beast named Tug.

My Review:
The story of the lonely boy Cottonmouth, is a rather sad one. The little boy has lost both his parents, and he lives in an empty house alone. Every day he goes to the river, hoping for his parents to return. It is rather unclear whether his parents left him or if they died, though from the sound of the story I would guess that they are dead.
The monster Tug is a rather interesting character, and made me think of “Where the Wild Things Are” though he does not possess the anger or “the Wild Things”
The simplicity of the illustrations adds to this rather straight forward story. Cottonmouth finds an egg that can grant him anything he wishes (but not the return of his parents), but he must never eat it. Of course he is struck with temptation, and must face the consequences of his actions. It is a very moralistic sort of story.
The story is rather grim, but it has a few up-notes. It’s ending has a pretty clear hint to what’s to come next.

Synopsis: The Assassin is closing in. Just as Jack and his friend Alexia discover what it means to be the Chosen Ones, they each face the test of a lifetime. For Jack it is a question of trust; for Alexia, of loyalty. Everything rests on their making the right choices, and on the completion of their missions. The Assassin expects they will fail, and that they will either join him or be destroyed. It will take all of the Author’s forces, the special gifts Jack and Alexia each have, and the help of their friends, Arthur and Mrs. Dumphrey, to overcome. But when the enemy makes a key move, and an important quest proves difficult, the prophecy—that they will both destroy and save the world—seems further from coming true than ever before.

My Review: Jack Staples and the City of Shadows is the second book in the Jack Staples trilogy, and it carries off from where the last book left off. The first few chapters are a bit slow to get through, and Mrs Dumphrey has quit a few lines that are trying a bit too hard to make her seem like an odd, wise, old lady. As soon as Mrs Dumphrey start speaking like a normal person and stop speaking in riddles and clichés the reading experience gets much more pleasant.
The action starts early in this book and the both Alexia and Jack has to carry their wits with them in the various situations they have to face. As the Assassin is closing in with all his power the two children of the prophesy is about to face the Test of their lifetime, it is important for them both to not make mistakes, but they are both only human and they are kids.
Just as the previous book there is a lot of time jumping in the narrative, and it is a bit hard to follow, but most of it ties together in by the end. Alexia’s back-story is explored a bit more, within the time-jumps, and we learn more about her characters.
The book is engaging and action packed, it is a good buildup for the next and final installment in the series. Hopefully the questions left unanswered in “Jack Staples and the City of Shadows” will be answered in “Jack Staples and the Poet’s Storm”

Synopsis: When hunters from her village disappear without a trace, Alice suspects that something sinister is at work. With the help of Storm, her wolf companion, Alice fights to save her village. The Narlaw are on the attack and it’s up to the Whisperers to stop them.

My Review:
This book did sound good. It is about a small village, it’s a girl with a wolf pet, and they have to save the village (and not the world). The writing is good and easy to follow, but the plot felt too simple, even for Middle Grade novel. Some of the trouble seemed to be very easily fixed, which resulted in not creating enough suspense. The double Point of view seems a bit wasted as the book is very short, and the two narratives is very similar so it is hard to tell them apart. Also, where were all the wolves? The title hints to something of a wolfwhisperer, but they seems to bring a vast amount of time listening the birds rather than having any wolves present.
This book is a fast little read, it is not a bad book but it did have room for more development of it characters; especially the relationship between Alice and her mentor.Hopefully future installments of the series will include more wolves.

Synopsis: In a secret land, far away from the habitation of man, dwell the world’s remaining dragons — hoping the dragsaur beasts have vanished forever. Here they try to live their daily lives, but all is not well and their talents are fading.
Things change, when, from a strange egg, Yoshiko is born – a dragon with a unique destiny.

My Review:
Gift Of Charm’ is a charming book about dragons living in a land hidden from mankind. It is told in a light voice and the narration is very easy to follow. Young Yoshiko grows from a young hatching and into a confident young dragon. The book is aimed at middle grade and challenges that pre-teens are addressed and easy to recognize.
Yoshiko grows up in a very conservative dragon culture which doesn’t tolerate uniqueness. Because Yoshio is different he easily falls prey to the more prideful dragons in his class (a group of purple dragons) and ends up being bullied by them. In this way the book encourages tolerance and acceptance of people’s differences.
The story was very enjoyable, though a lot of information was given through dialogue. This choice stayed consistent, and it fitted the narrative. Also the dragons was very people like, which was okay for this kind of book, though I would have liked to see some more dragon in the dragons.
Most of all this story as a very fresh breath of originality to it, which will help it stand out from other books in the genre.
Overall I found this story cute and enjoyable, and I really look forward to future books in this series.